Following a number of threads on the subject of satellite phones, how to dial, emergency numbers etc, I thought I might comment on my recent experience.
About to do a 3 .5 week trip from
Adelaide, through the Tanami, East Kimberly,
Roper River, Barkly, and
Alice Springs districts with two mates. Their wives were concerned about contact, safety etc.
So a sat phone was purchased.
Chose a Thuraya SO 2510 because:
1. seriously cheaper than alternates
2. has been observed by me as easy to use in remote parts of Oz, in 2008. Oz has relatively good reception as the satellite is fixed above Indonesia. I have used other sat phones where one has to to be quite careful with regard to position of handset on head, placement of aerial, etc - much more so than with this phone. - i.e it is user friendly about reception.
3. can dial a number, or text as you would on any regular mobile phone - no need for + signs, or country code prefixes.
4. can get a 3 month plan from Optus, which will cover my major period of intended use - about to do the CSR in June, as
well as the above trip.
All call charges are per 30 second block, with a flag fall of 40 cents.
If invoice per month is lower than $ 10, it rolls over into the next month's bill. I like this as I anticipate a zero bill - it is an emergency use tool only.
We can let those near & dear that we are still alive by ringing conventionally or when possible by mobile, when we reach the next town.
5. despite a poor manual, the phone is relatively intuitive to use with regard to contacts, texting, dictionary etc.
6. GPS function not of benefit to us - have a good GPS already.
The phone was sourced from W.A., as locally the monthly plan was not offered, and local stockists did not know more than we did about the phone & its features/benefits.
Hope this helps others.
Cheers.